“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, THE MUSICAL”
Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The holiday musical at Community Players this year is “It’s A Wonderful Life, The Musical”. Based on the beloved 1946 film, this family friendly musical faithfully follows the familiar story of George Bailey’s life from childhood dreams to midlife disappointments. After George wishes he had never been born, an angel is sent to earth to make his wish come true and we all take the journey to discover whether his time on earth has mattered at all. Cinematically scored, this musical adaptation breathes new life into a familiar story, while retaining the warmth, humor and pathos of the original. Director Vinnie Lupino picked a strong leading man to portray George Bailey in Duane Langley who is onstage the entire show. His comic timing as well as his dramatic acting as he wrings every bit of pathos from this role,leaving the audience in tears. So you have the necessary ingredients for a very successful Christmas musical that audiences of all ages can enjoy thoroughly from start to finish. The musical score adds layers to these well known characters from the movie version especially Mary Hatch’s character as the audience discovers she yearned for George all through high school by being madly in love with him as she reveals in “My George Bailey.” Bravo on a job well done!
Duane has a wonderful singing voice but had a little laryngitis on opening which should be better soon. The rest of the cast are wonderful vocalists and performers, too. Musical director Ron Procopio and his six piece orchestra add the finishing touches to this marvelous holiday musical. He taught the talented cast these 22 songs with some of the best vocalists around. Karen Kessler’s choreography includes a show stopping Charleston, a dance to “Christmas Eve” song and a soft shoe for Clarence and George to “It’s A Wonderful Life” reprise. Some of Duane’s numbers include “You Are Now in Bedford Falls” which welcomes Clarence and the audience into the town and “My Life” which brings the house down when George decides to live after all. His duets include “If You Want the Moon” when he brings Mary to the Granville House, “We’ve Got to Stick Together” when he and Mary convince the crowd to let him pay them money to avoid a run on the bank and “It’s A Wonderful Life” when George finds out Mary is having his baby. Megan McNulty-Morales, a gorgeous brunette, with a stunning soprano voice plays Mary excellently. Her songs bring added depth to the role “If You Want the Moon”, “My George Bailey” and “My Future” which fleshes her character’s innermost thoughts to the audience. Her voice is both breathtaking and phenomenal as she holds the audience in her hand every time she sings her numbers. Duane and Megan have terrific chemistry together and their children are played by wonderful young performers and are Reagan Lapointe, Logan Hoard, Preston, Hoard,and Arayna Namias as Janie, Peter, Tommy and Zuzu Bailey.
The horrible and evil Mr. Potter is played by Brian Mulvey. He drips with venom from every pore of his body as he tries to destroy George and the Saving and Loan Company for many years. When he keeps the $8000 that Uncle Billy accidentally gives him and tells George that he will have him arrested is just one of his most despicable acts. He sings a Scrooge like song called “Tell Me What You Want” when he tries to buy George off with $20,000 a year salary and “Go Ahead and Run” when he threatens George with being arrested. Paul Gagne plays kind hearted Mr. Bailey singing “A Place to Call Home” with Karen Kessler as Ma Bailey. She does a marvelous job as the doting matchmaking mother who finally gets George and Mary together at last. Two of the most comic characters are Steven Dulude and Heather Vieira as the Martinis who sing “Bless You George Bailey” when he gives them their house. They have funny Italian accents and the melody of that song is “O Solo Mio.” They win many laughs in these roles.
One of the biggest scene stealers of the show is Steve Morris as Clarence, the Angel. He doesn’t have his wings yet but if he manages to save George, he might get them after all. His antics are priceless as he learns about George’s life in Act 1 and during Act 2 tries to rescue him but ends up falling into the water only to be rescued by George. Steve does a marvelous song and soft shoe dance to “Second Class Angel” and then shows George how Bedford Falls became “Pottersville” if he never was born. The forgetful Uncle Billy is well played by Paul Gagne who mocks Mr. Potter in the bank when he sings “You Can’t Keep Those Bailey Brothers Down” while dancing up a storm. Another strong performer who plays Violet, the flirting classmate of George, is Leanna O’Brian, a gorgeous blonde bombshell who is a fabulous dancer and strong soprano vocalist. Make sure you catch “It’s A Wonderful Life, The Musical” at Community Players to usher in this festive holiday season. A word of praise to scenic designer Brian Mulvey and Vincent Lupino and costume designer Marcia Zammarelli for their stellar work on this show. The set for the town is awesome.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, THE MUSICAL” ( 30 November to 9 December)
The Community Players, 350 Division Street Pawtucket, RI
1(401)726-6860 or www.thecommunityplayers.net
